Loss prevention in stores is a major challenge for retailers, particularly in the supermarket, pharmacy, and DIY sectors . Knowing the most targeted products for theft allows for adjusting security strategies and better protecting stock.
🌂 Alcohol and Spirits
Easy to conceal, small in size, and of high value, bottles of alcohol top the list of most stolen products. Their appeal for resale makes them a recurring target. Thieves often work in groups, targeting premium brands like whiskies, vodkas, or champagnes. Resale can occur through parallel channels, including online or at markets. This type of theft represents a significant financial loss for retailers, especially during the holidays.
🍼 Baby Products
Infant formula, diapers, and wipes are essential products whose high demand makes them frequently victim to theft. Their high cost and constant renewal make them a prime target for resale. Some thieves resell them at a reduced price, taking advantage of economic pressure on families. The theft of these items is often linked to situations of precariousness.
💋 Cosmetics and Perfumes
Beauty items, particularly high-end perfumes and makeup, are often stolen due to their small size and high market value. These products attract both opportunistic thieves and organized gangs, often to supply online resale platforms. Major brands are particularly targeted for their high demand. Some thieves even use lined bags to evade security gates.
💊 Over-the-Counter Medications
In pharmacies, analgesics, supplements, and other OTC products are common targets. Their small size makes them easy to steal. Some medications can be misused, making them even more appealing. Furthermore, their price, sometimes high, motivates theft for black market resale or personal consumption. Pharmacies must therefore combine prevention and surveillance without hindering accessibility.
🌟 Batteries and Small Electronics
Batteries, memory cards, and phone accessories are among the most stolen items, particularly in DIY or convenience stores. Their compactness and high unit value make them easy to steal and offload. They are often prized for their high demand. Thefts sometimes occur in series, targeting entire sections in poorly supervised areas.
👔 Razors and Blades
Despite their basic nature, disposable razors and their refills are often stolen for their high price and compact format. Their discreet packaging allows for easy concealment. Many thieves target them for personal use, but also for online or market resale. These items represent a high replacement cost for stores which must reinforce their protection with anti-theft cases.
💰 Gift Cards and Prepaid Vouchers
Taken before activation, these cards are sometimes stolen in bulk, particularly for resale or fraudulent use. Their very thin format makes theft easy at the checkout or in aisles near exits.
🥛 Cheeses and Packaged Meats
In the food sector, these high value-added products are highly sought after, particularly due to their popularity. Food theft is often motivated by immediate needs, but can also be organized on a large scale.
🏋️ Clothing and Accessories
Clothing items, particularly small accessories, sunglasses, or caps, are often targeted on the shelf. Trendy brands are particularly targeted for resale on second-hand platforms. Some thieves organize store tours to accumulate stock intended for resale.
🧬 DIY Tools and Materials
In DIY stores, screwdrivers, drill bits, and small equipment are frequently stolen because they are easy to hide and resell. Their constant demand, especially among professionals or Sunday DIYers, makes them a profitable target. Stores must reinforce surveillance in technical sections and restrict access to certain products.
🛡️ Anticipate with Behavioral Detection
Rather than just monitoring products, innovative retailers are adopting solutions based on suspicious gesture analysis . By using artificial intelligence to identify at-risk behaviors in real-time , it is possible to prevent theft without harming the customer experience.
Technologies like those from Oxania offer precise, non-intrusive detection adapted to each type of store, allowing in-store teams to react quickly while creating a safer environment for everyone.
📆 In Conclusion
Understanding the products most exposed to theft is a crucial first step. But it is by combining this knowledge with intelligent AI tools that it becomes possible to reduce losses, improve profitability, and protect brand image . Behavioral technology is now a significant ally for the commerce of tomorrow.
